Projects all over the USA & the World HOME ARCHITECTS TM for wherever you are.
Timeless Custom Home Designs | Building Architecture | Timber Frame | Mountain homes
Rand Soellner is a member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects)
That’s a good question.
1. EXCITEMENT. You have a giddy feeling. You know you want a Special dream house for yourself and your family. Nothing ordinary will do.
2. WHAT YOU WANT DOESN’T EXIST IN BUILT HOMES. You cannot find any existing house that has been already built and that is available for sale that satisfies what you want. (more…)
What the heck is a “crossover cottage – mansion?” That is when the Home Architects TM at Rand Soellner Architect make a smaller, simpler floor plan, then find ways to insert larger and more sumptuous features into it.
This results in you paying for a Cottage-sized house, but obtaining some elements, like a very nice, large Gourmet Kitchen, larger Master Bedroom, larger Master Bathroom, a generous Laundry – Pantry with lots of storage space, an entrance Foyer, Powder Room, Coat Closet, multiple fireplaces and many more features normally associated with Mansions. (more…)
Not every residential design firm can do this. Why? Because only licensed registered architects are legally allowed to perform architectural services.
Even the use of the word “architect” or “architectural” is supposed to be reserved only for those licensed professionals who have earned a University degree, spent a dedicated number of years as an apprentice to other licensed architects, passed a grueling 3-day State administered exam, and each year taken CEUs (Continuing Education Units) to maintain their knowledge in the design industry. (more…)
So what can you expect for 2011? Especially if you are in the market to have your dream house designed and built? I am an architect. I design nice custom houses all over the United States. The residences I design are small, medium, large and gigantic, depending on your perspective. I also design a few compact houses. I am always alert to what the housing market is doing, so you might be interested in how I see things shaping up for 2011 and trends for the housing market.
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS: those are still down for right this second. However, I believe that we may see an increase in housing construction costs beginning sometime this year. The reason for some increases? Our economy is on the mend, according to those in the Federal Government and other higher educational institutions. (more…)
Competitive Construction Bids.
That is a service that your residential architect can provide, in addition to designing your house. This is an important reason to use a real architect to design your residential project. He can help you obtain the lowest reasonable price to build your house from several qualified general contractors.
The amount of money you spend on the architect of your residence you will probably save in this one activity alone. What if you had instead contracted with the most expensive builder instead of engaging your residential architect? Look at the difference in bid price of the highest versus the lowest contractor bidding your job. It may be a lot. (more…)
I just noticed on CNBC (12/12/2010 11:00AM) that they have reported that Apple and Nike stock is at the highest ever in their history. Also, Exxon, Chevron and Verizon are all at 52 week highs. The Dow is at 11,447. I am not a financial analyst, but I have lived a while, through robust economic times and multiple recessions, so I at least have some perspective of the history through which I have lived.
The stock market appears to be doing well right now. Of course, this is a volatile thing, and there is no telling what will happen tomorrow. However, I have noticed that some people’s portfolios continue to post solid performance, or at least aren’t losing much, if any value, during the last year. (more…)
